Gov. Quinn pledges $45 million state funds for tornado recovery

Hours after the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Illinois disaster aid related to the Nov. 17 tornadoes, the state of Illinois announced that half a dozen state agencies will be pooling funds to help local governments rebuild.

Hours after the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Illinois disaster aid related to the Nov. 17 tornadoes, the state of Illinois announced that half a dozen state agencies will be pooling funds to help local governments rebuild.

In front of a landscape dotted by tornado-ravaged homes, Gov. Pat Quinn held a press conference March 5 in Washington. With dozens of Washington citizens and state officials standing around him, Quinn announced a $45 million state relief package to help municipalities with expenses related to the Nov. 17 storms.

“We saw the destruction when we visited after the tornado hit,” Quinn said March5. “Washington and a lot of other communities needed help and we’re not getting that from the federal government.”

The formula used by FEMA to calculate who gets aid was blamed by Quinn as the reason the governing bodies of Washington, East Peoria and Pekin did not receive federal aid.

“I really feel the federal law that FEMA follows is fundamentally unfair and needs reform. We’ve got to change that,” Quinn said. “It’s not a fair formula for large states that have a big city and rural areas. Those rural areas can get ignored.”

“I made a decision yesterday to use our own state of Illinois resources to help,” Quinn said. “Every department of the state is going to help our state.”

According to a press release from the governor’s office, the money Quinn was able to gather for tornado-ravaged communities comes from half a dozen state government agencies.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Department of Transportation will both give up to $10 million to communities to rebuild tornado-damaged infrastructure.

DCEO will also be giving $4.5 million to rebuild housing for low-income residents. The Illinois Housing Development Authority will also provide $2.5 million for low-income assistance.

The Illinois Finance Authority will have $4.5 million in below-market rate loans made available while the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will offer similar loans up to $5.35 million to repair damaged water systems.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency will also give $3.55 million to pay for costs already incurred in cleanup activities such as debris removal and overtime pay.

The aid package applies to nine counties in all, including Tazewell and Woodford. “We just want everyone to get back on their feet and get on with life,” Quinn said. “This is a good start in that direction.”

Page 2 of 2 - Among the many state and local officials that spoke at the press conference, Illinois Secretary of Transportation Ann L. Schneider said there is an estimated $7.5 million in infrastructure repairs in Washington alone, with more than 50 roads that need repairs.

Washington mayor Gary Manier also spoke at the press conference and expressed his gratitude toward Quinn and the state for stepping in to help his city.

“He made a commitment day one to help us. He’s a man of his words,” Manier said of Quinn. Asked if the state’s aid will be enough to help rebuild his city, Manier said, “I believe so. It’s going to have to fund all needs, no wants, but we’ll get it done.”